Author: clanryenewsandsport

Health Minister Robin Swann and Education Minister Peter Weir have announced a programme of regular testing for Covid-19 is to be introduced in schools in Northern Ireland. Departmental officials will be liaising with the education sector in the coming days to discuss operational preparation and delivery with a view to rolling out the programme in […]

Health Minister Robin Swann has reminded everyone aged 60 and over that the best time to book their Covid-19 vaccination is now. The Minister said: “We will be extending the vaccination programme to other age groups before very long, and that means many more people will be looking to fill appointment slots. So if you are […]

Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has announced the establishment of a Fiscal Council and a Fiscal Commission. Making the announcement, Conor Murphy said: “The establishment of the Fiscal Council and the Fiscal Commission represents a real step forward for the public finances. “Putting the Fiscal Council in place will bring greater transparency and independent scrutiny to the […]

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has welcomed the publication of Sir Peter Hendy’s Union Connectivity Review Interim Report. Speaking of the publication of the Report the Minister said: “This is an ambitious Report which aims to deliver a UK-wide transport network that encompasses sea, rail, air and road. Improved connectivity through a better connected network is […]

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced the release of over £7.5million of awards to support charities facing financial difficulty as a result of the pandemic. Over 300 charities are being offered the funding after successfully applying to Phase 2 of the Covid-19 Charities Fund. The money is awarded to support unavoidable costs and eliminate deficits […]

A dashboard charting the progress of Northern Ireland’s vaccination programme has gone live. It is the first step in plans to publish detailed daily data on vaccination. Work is ongoing on the necessary data reporting and digital infrastructure for a more comprehensive dashboard. Welcoming the new dashboard, Health Minister Robin Swann said: “Our vaccination programme […]

Employers from key sectors within Northern Ireland can now access the national testing programme as part of a targeted expansion of asymptomatic testing Launching the programme Health Minister Robin Swann said: “As COVID-19 infections continue to fall and the vaccination programme continues to deliver at scale and pace, it is important that we do not […]

The continued success of our Covid-19 vaccination programme will guide us to brighter days, the First Minister, deputy First Minister and Health Minister have said. The Ministers were speaking during a visit to the vaccination centre at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald. 596,527 people have now been vaccinated. Both doses of the vaccine have now […]

Education Minister, Peter Weir has announced an additional £11.8million funding to support childcare providers. This is the second phase of the Covid-19 Childcare Sustainability Support and is for the period of 1 January to 31 March 2021.  The Covid-19 Childcare Sustainability Support Fund will provide vital financial support for eligible registered childcare providers who are […]

Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy has welcomed the plans to use local pharmacies to assist in the the delivery of Covid 19 vaccines.  The Newry & Armagh MLA said, “The vaccination programme across the North has been a great success but for people in South Armagh the use of Craigavon as our vaccine centre creates […]

Developing the skills of Northern Ireland’s workforce is essential to both the short-term and longer-term future of our economy, Minister Diane Dodds has said. Speaking during a debate in the Assembly on her Skills Strategy, the Economy Minister told MLAs: “The Skills Strategy has a key role to play in addressing not only the short term […]

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said the Economy Minister must act to support all students. Speaking ahead of a debate in the Assembly on Tuesday, the Newry/Armagh MLA said: “Sinn Féin’s motion in the Assembly is about ensuring all students receive financial support. “Students in further education, part-time students and those studying in the […]